Copperhead

Ok guys here's the deal. My brother moved down south and left an 86 firebird in the garage. It hasnt been started in a good 2 years. I know for sure that the battery is pretty much done but I really can't find anything to be the main cause of the car not startin let alone even cranking. I have the battery on the charger as I type this. I'd like to get this beast running around june. I'm a 16 year old kid with a very limited income so I can't just go out and drop in a crate 350 which I would love to . So I'm calling this Project Revival. I think it is a very fitting name. So the main point of this post is to kinda point me in the right direction for stuff I can do to it to help it get running and what not. So thanks in advance guys!

FirebirdPhil

Sounds like a good project you've got on your hands. As I said in your other thread, charge the battery tonight and let us know what happens tomorrow. If the battery has a full charge and won't start have it checked out at Autozone to see if it possibly has a dead cell. That caused my Bird to die on me in the summer.

__________________

"What if I told you insane was working fifty hours a week in some office for fifty years at the end of which they tell you to piss off; ending up in some retirement village hoping to die before suffering the indignity of trying to make it to the toilet on time? Wouldn't you consider that to be insane?"
-Steve Buscemi as Garland Greene in Con Air

Copperhead

Yea I'm gonna check the battery right before I go to bed tonite and then when I get home from school tomorrow around 3 I'll put back on the charger till bed. I just got off the phone with my brother and he told me that the wires, plugs, alternator and a couple other things are new. He told me that it is probaly something in electrical system. So do you guys think I can resurect this bird from the grave on a 16 year old high school student budget?

FirebirdPhil

If I was able to resurect an 84 GMC that hadn't been ran regularly in 6 years, then you'll be able to do this with a little bit of determination and hard work. If you shop around pricing you'd be amazed at what kind of deals you can find.

__________________

"What if I told you insane was working fifty hours a week in some office for fifty years at the end of which they tell you to piss off; ending up in some retirement village hoping to die before suffering the indignity of trying to make it to the toilet on time? Wouldn't you consider that to be insane?"
-Steve Buscemi as Garland Greene in Con Air

Copperhead

My buddy has a 94 camaro but I forget what size motor in it but I know it's a V6 and I was thinking that would be a nice fit if I could find that motor and a tranny to match because everything is the same excecpt the fuel rail. Once the weather gets nicer and I free up some time I will start goin around to the local junk yards.

Rocket 442

94's are 3.4L

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Andy
▌1966 Oldsmobile Cutlass F-85 Deluxe
455cid F2 Block | Edelbrock Performer RPM Heads & ARP Bolt Kit | Mondello JM 22-25-10 Cam - 274/280 .512/.523 | Harland Sharp 1.6 Ratio Full Roller Rockers | Edelbrock Modified Performer RPM Intake
▌1995 Chevy Camaro - Slow
My Cars are USDM, it's like JDM in Japan; Crazy Eh?

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FirebirdPhil

Depending on where you're located, I saw an add online for a guy selling his 3.8l if you're interested. Rebuilt with 40k on the rebuild if I recall. Also check craigslist.com for deals. In the last month I've found 2 LT1s within 50 miles of me with less than 70k on them for under 1400... complete engines and trannys. Wish I had the cash to get either one.

__________________

"What if I told you insane was working fifty hours a week in some office for fifty years at the end of which they tell you to piss off; ending up in some retirement village hoping to die before suffering the indignity of trying to make it to the toilet on time? Wouldn't you consider that to be insane?"
-Steve Buscemi as Garland Greene in Con Air

Copperhead

Yea the 3.4, would that be a could upgrade from the engine i have now or no? Yea I really don't have any cash at this point. Well baby steps for Project Revival I let the battery sit on the charger for a good 3 hours and I just went outside to check it.
I have-
the radio on in full swing
check engine light,oil light,seatbelt light
dome light on
parking lights
turn signals
wipers
both headlights turn on but only the right one comes up
and when i turn the key there is a very weak cranking.
So far I'm really excited just from the progress I've made so far.
I'm probaly going to put the battery on the charge again tomorrow after I get home around 2:45,3 till about 8 or 8:30 and try and jump it off my mom's 04 tarus.
My future plans as of tonight are just to change the oil and take the battery up to autozone and have them check it.

FirebirdPhil

Good plans and since the electronics are working odds are the battery is fine. And the 3.4 would be a good upgrade from the 2.8l, my cousin has the 2.8l in his 87 Camaro. It's not the fastest engine by any means, but it's very durable. Get the car running and keep the 2.8 in there until you get the desired engine, and like I said, keep looking for deals on engines. The rebuilt 3.8l I found was $500 btw. I think that engine would add some pep to you Bird.

__________________

"What if I told you insane was working fifty hours a week in some office for fifty years at the end of which they tell you to piss off; ending up in some retirement village hoping to die before suffering the indignity of trying to make it to the toilet on time? Wouldn't you consider that to be insane?"
-Steve Buscemi as Garland Greene in Con Air

Copperhead

Thanks a bunch man If you have anything else that would help me like info on anything just pm it to me. I will get you guys updates tomorrow night after 5 and a half hours on the charger and a jump from my mom's tarus